It was a battle between southpaws and they dished out their best with Nhlanhla ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’ Tyirha emerging victorious against Filipino boxer Jaysever Abcede in a vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global junior-flyweight title fight at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) on Friday evening.
Abcede shocked Tyirha when he decked him with a big left hand in the first round. The knock down served as a wake up call to Tyirha, who upped his performance after beating the count.
Tyirha’s performance was simply brilliant throughout despite being put under pressure by the Filipino.
The former South African junior-flyweight champion showed his class with impressive movements inside the ring as his punches landed at will.
It was then no wonder that the three judges unanimously gave the fight to Tyirha with Pumeza Zinakile scoring it 116-111, Sipho Ndongeni 117-110 and Sithembele Tom 117-110.
Meanwhile, Siphamandla Baleni made a first successful defence of his South African junior-flyweight title scoring a controversial win over Mpumelelo Tshabalala in the main supporting bout.
Baleni from Mthatha won via a majority decision after Thandi Ngodwana scored the fight 114-114, Simphiwe Gceba 116-112 and Lulama Mtya 116-113.
Other results:
Six rounders:
Junior-bantamweight:
Landi Ngxeke beat Romeo Makwakwa on points
Junior-featherweight:
Zolisa Batyi defeated Phila Gola by a fourth round knockout
Featherweight:
Sange Ngoza beat Onela Qongwana by second round technical knockout
Junior-featherweight:
Siphenathi Nobanda defeated Sonwabile Marenene on points
